Expert Teachers in Residence

Alex Louie

Expert Teacher in Residence (English), Teaching Excellence Division

Alex is an Expert Teacher in Residence at the Academy, with a focus on secondary English. She began her career at the University High School where she taught VCE English, EAL, Literature, Extended Investigation and classroom music, as well as leading whole school curriculum design. Alex went on to serve as the Assistant Principal at Parkville College (Cherry Creek Youth Justice Precinct), working with young men in custody, where she had a specific focus on curriculum development and trauma informed practice. Prior to joining the Academy, Alex was the Curriculum Manager (VCAA) for the F-10 Capabilities (Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Capability, Intercultural Capability and Personal and Social Capability), VCE Classical Studies and VCE Extended Investigation.

Alice Walker

Expert Teacher in Residence (English), Teaching Excellence Division

Alice Walker is an Expert Teacher in Residence at the Academy, working within the English and Arts disciplines. She has eighteen years of experience teaching English, Media and Performing Arts in public and independent secondary schools in Victoria and has fulfilled a range of leadership roles, including Head of English, Literacy Capability Builder and Learning Specialist. Alice holds a Bachelor of Creative Arts, a Diploma of Education and is currently completing a Master of Education in Leadership and Learning. She is passionate about engaging teenagers in reading and writing, and in supporting teachers of all disciplines to develop their confidence and abilities as teachers of literacy.

Andy Ding

Expert Teacher in Residence (Technologies), Teaching Excellence Division

Andy Ding is an Expert Teacher in Residence at the Academy, working within the Technologies, and Health and Physical Education disciplines. He is an experienced special education teacher and a registered therapist. Before joining the Academy, Andy was the Wellbeing and Inclusion Leader at Gleneagles Secondary College, where he supported vulnerable students and families in disability inclusion, mental health, child safety and behaviour support. Andy holds an undergraduate double degree in Arts and Visual Arts, Master of Teaching (Secondary), and Master of Education (Special Educational Needs). Motivated by his lived experience of disability, Andy is a proud advocate for building the capabilities of teachers and leaders in inclusive practices, enabling a whole school approach to improving student wellbeing and equity outcomes. 

Dino Cevolatti

Expert Teacher in Residence (Science), Teaching Excellence Division

Dino Cevolatti is an Expert Teacher in Residence for Science at the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, with a substantive role at Castlemaine Secondary College on Djaara Country since 2009. They have taught Science and Physics since 2005, with roles as Student Learning and Professional Learning Leader, Year-Level/Cohort Leader (7-12), Learning Specialist, Science Coordinator and First Nations Liaison. Previously, they lectured in Human-Computer Interface and Multimedia Systems Design at Monash University (2001) and tutored in Psychology at Deakin University (1998-2002). Dino writes an educational blog “reflecting on learning and teaching”, presents at teachers’ conferences, and loves music, nature, and Dungeons and Dragons. 

Chris Goldstraw

Expert Teacher in Residence (Health & Physical Education), Teaching Excellence Division

Chris Goldstraw is an Expert Teacher in Residence at the Academy, with a focus on Health and Physical Education. He holds a Bachelor of Education (P–12) in HPE and Wellbeing, and brings over a decade of experience across primary education, instructional coaching and student wellbeing leadership. Chris was recognised as a 2025 Teaching Impact Fellow, during which he designed and implemented the SPARK Program, a whole-school wellbeing initiative focused on student agency, connection, and positive school culture. He is passionate about supporting HPE teachers to move beyond the familiar and into deliberate, evidence-informed practice.

Erik Ma 

Expert Teacher in Residence (Languages), Teaching Excellence Division

Erik is excited to continue for a second year at the Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership as an Expert Teacher in Residence (Languages). He brings leadership experience in bilingual and P-12 education, including roles as Assistant Principal at Strathtulloh Primary School and co-founder of South Australia’s first P-12 Chinese Bilingual School. Erik is passionate about fostering multilingual literacy and strengthening culturally and linguistically inclusive practices, and he looks forward to contributing to system-wide impact at the Academy. Outside work, he enjoys travelling, exploring diverse cuisines, and spending time with family. 

Kim Walker 

Expert Teacher in Residence (Mathematics), Teaching Excellence Division

Kim Walker is an Expert Teacher in Residence at the Academy, with a focus on Mathematics education. She has extensive experience as a teacher and leader in Victorian schools with over 20 years of experience. Kim holds a Master of Business Administration and has previously been a Head of Mathematics and VCAA Assessor. Her areas of interest include mathematical wellbeing, teacher research and translating contemporary research into practice. In 2025, Kim was recognised as Teaching Innovation Fellow and presented her teacher research findings into mathematical wellbeing at the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia (MERGA47) conference. Kim is passionate about learners and educators having a positive narrative of themselves as mathematicians and intentionally building collaborative teams to lead improvement in learning outcomes. 

Kiran Money

Expert Teacher in Residence (Maths), Teaching Excellence Division

Kiran is an experienced educational leader with over 15 years in Victorian government schools, including more than a decade in leadership roles focused on curriculum, instructional improvement, and inclusion. She has arrived at the Academy this year as an Expert Teacher in Residence. Prior to this Kiran was an acting assistant principal driving curriculum design, progression, and assessment, strengthening literacy and numeracy instructional practices and student outcomes.

Kiran supports educators to translate research into practice empowering schools to embed inclusive systems that align classroom practice, intervention, and student wellbeing.

Leia Hands

Expert Teacher in Residence (English), Teaching Excellence Division

Leia is looking forward to learning with and from others at the Academy, supporting teachers to strengthen their practice through TEP. With experience in both primary and secondary schools, Leia's expertise resides in teaching English, developing curriculum, enhancing pedagogy and building the capability of middle leaders. Working for the Department of Education in regional roles allowed her to begin to develop a system lens for school improvement. She enjoys reading, baking and playing with her two children.

Phil Thomas

Expert Teacher in Residence (Technologies), Teaching Excellence Division

Phil is an Expert Teacher in Residence for Technologies and Science with a varied educational background over 20 years. He has worked in state prisons, welfare settings, Primary and Secondary Schools, across every Discipline, and carries both a Bachelor and Master of Education. His most recent tenure at the Gippsland Tech School has enabled him to establish a thought and curriculum leadership approach to all things STE(A)M, disrupting and challenging long-held misconceptions about teaching and teachers in order to rebuild, redesign and reintegrate teaching and learning models for students across the region.

Ritika Mahajan

Expert Teacher in Residence (Mathematics), Teaching Excellence Division

Ritika Mahajan is an Expert Teacher in Residence at the Academy for Mathematics and Humanities disciplines, bringing over 20 years of experience across primary and secondary settings in Australia and London. At her core, she is a passionate mathematics and humanities educator who believes deeply in the power of engaging, meaningful learning. Ritika is equally committed to supporting teachers, working alongside them through coaching and collaboration to strengthen practice and impact. Prior to this role, she led whole-school Numeracy and improvement at Viewbank College. Her leadership journey includes Head of STEM, Mathematics improvement and Student wellbeing roles. Ritika is a dedicated advocate for equity for all learners and for increasing opportunities for girls in STEM.

Sharon Huber

Expert Teacher in Residence (The Arts), Teaching Excellence Division

Sharon is an accomplished arts educator with expertise in music education, performing arts, and large-scale event leadership and coordination. She has served as a Music and Event Coordinator and taught in classroom music, drama, instrumental programs, productions and ensembles across primary, secondary, university, and adult education settings. A versatile musician with experience across orchestral, experimental, and contemporary settings, she brings this dynamic performance background into her teaching. Sharon has led numerous whole-school events from concept to execution and remains an active participant in community ensembles, reflecting her belief in the power of the arts to connect and enrich communities. Based in Geelong on Wadawurrung Country, she aims to bring a strong sense of playfulness and belonging into her work.  

Simone Wallace  

Expert Teacher in Residence (English), Teaching Excellence Division

Simone is an Expert Teacher in Residence at the Academy, with a focus on Primary English. She has extensive experience as a classroom teacher and leader, including roles as a Learning Specialist, Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader, and facilitator of social and emotional learning professional learning. Simone has designed and delivered professional learning both face-to-face and online, supporting teachers to strengthen evidence-informed teaching and learning, enhance student engagement, and promote wellbeing in schools. She is passionate about learning alongside others, sharing knowledge, and leading collaboratively to make a meaningful impact.

Marlee Zirkler

Expert Teacher in Residence (Humanities), Teaching Excellence Division

Marlee is an Expert Teacher in Residence at the Academy, with extensive experience in Humanities education. She previously worked as a Learning Specialist at Northcote High School, where she supported curriculum development and teacher practice.

Marlee has contributed to the Victorian Commercial Teachers Association, designing resource packs for Humanities teachers and has also developed and delivered a mentoring program for new Legal Studies teachers and designed professional learning for the Legal Studies stream at the Comview Conference. In addition, she has written Geography curriculum for ACMI.

Marlee specialises in embodied pedagogy, advocating for dynamic, movement-based learning experiences that bring Humanities classrooms to life. She believes that meaningful learning happens when students are “up and about,” actively engaging with ideas through physical, collaborative, and experiential approaches.